["People Relations Specialist","People Relations Specialist"]

People Relations Specialist

At a Glance! We are seeking a collaborative, detail-oriented, and highly motivated People Relations Specialist to join our HR team! The People Relations Specialist is heavily involved in labor relations, positive employee relations, and enhancing employee engagement. Serving as a trusted partner and consultant, you will provide guidance to college leadership, HR staff, and supervisors regarding the interpretation of and compliance with collective bargaining agreements, college policies and procedures, and civil service rules to ensure consistent, equitable practices.

Who you are: At the forefront of the People Relations Specialist's role is building and maintaining high-quality and productive relationships with college leaders, supervisors, faculty, staff, and union partners. We have two unions at LCC: Washington Federation of State Employees Higher Education Community College Coalition (WFSE) and Lower Columbia College Faculty Association of Higher Education. The People Relations Specialist is a thoughtful leader who uses a proactive and collaborative approach to identify issues, generate ideas, and develop solutions to complex problems, and is comfortable with ambiguity. This position maintains professionalism and empathy in all interactions, exercises a high level of independent judgment and discretion in completing work activities, is adept at communicating effectively in sensitive situations and conveying difficult concepts, and has a strong knack for attention to detail and for managing competing priorities in a fast-paced environment. The successful candidate demonstrates critical thinking, sound judgment, and problem-solving skills while maintaining confidentiality in handling personnel and labor relations matters.

About the team! The People Relations Specialist is a vital member of LCC's small, innovative, collaborative, and hard-working HR team that provides exceptional customer service, support, resources, recruitment, and more for our faculty and staff. Our HR team holds high standards of respect and integrity and uses a human-centered approach in everything that we do. We are committed to hiring and retaining a diverse campus community that is empowered to serve our diverse student body. We continue to enhance our HR processes and programs to be more equitable, inclusive, and modern.

This position is 40 hours per week and may be eligible for overtime under FLSA, depending on the salary of the successful applicant. The typical schedule is Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm. The People Relations Specialist has the flexibility to work remotely up to 50% of the workweek if desired. This position reports to the Executive Director of Human Resources. We typically hire in the lower to middle range of the salary range. Offers are made based on the applicant's qualifications relative to the job, internal pay equity, and any other relevant factors.

Applications will be reviewed after the position closes on August 9, 2026. We anticipate a start date of October 1, 2026.

Example of Duties & Responsibilities

What you'll be doing:

• Build strong, positive relationships with supervisors, faculty, staff, and external partners
• Provide high-level administrative support to the Director
• Serve as a key representative in union negotiations, grievance procedures, and labor-management teams
• Assist supervisors in the resolution of grievances
• Lead administrative processes for union info requests
• Provide consistent interpretation and application of collective bargaining agreements and LCC policies and procedures
• Serve as a subject matter expert by researching and interpreting employment issues and laws, and recommending practical, equitable solutions consistent with collective bargaining agreements and college policies
• Collaborate with supervisors and employees to resolve personnel issues at the lowest possible level
• Conduct thorough, impartial personnel investigations using best practices and in accordance with collective bargaining agreements and college policies and procedures
• Serve as an active member of LCC's Title IX team and conduct Title IX investigations and follow-up as needed
• Assist the Executive Director with review, maintenance and implementation of HR policies and procedures
• Provide guidance to supervisors and staff regarding employee classifications and compensation
• Conduct position allocation reviews for WFSE staff
• Serve on a variety of committees including the Union Management Communication Committee (UMCC) and ITPS Committee
• Facilitate training for supervisors on a variety of HR topics
• Oversee performance management - provide support to supervisors/employees in completing evaluations, process and track evaluation completion, identify trainings/support for employees based on evaluations, and revamp exempt evaluation process
• Analyze employee relations issues, recommend appropriate courses of action, and contribute to the continuous improvement of HR practices and processes

Typical Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate's degree in business, HR, or related field OR an equivalent combination of education and experience
• 3 years of progressively responsible HR experience
• Ability to work with integrity, credibility, professionalism and confidentiality while exercising sound judgment and discretion in handling highly sensitive personnel matters
• Demonstrated understanding of labor laws, collective bargaining, and grievance procedures
• Experience conducting fair, fact-finding workplace investigations
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Strong communication skills including the ability to communicate effectively across all levels of the organization
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), Google Suite (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms), or similar programs.
• Effective conflict resolution skills with the ability to handle sensitive situations professionally

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, HR, or related field
• More than 3 years of experience in Human Resources
• Experience in HR in higher education or state agency
• Knowledge of Washington State public labor environment and civil service rules
• PHR/SPHR, SHRM or certified investigator credentials

The minimum qualifications may seem specific and limiting, but we do consider candidates with relatable education, experience, and skills. We encourage you to apply even if you don't meet exactly what's listed. With questions about qualifications, feel free to reach out to our HR team.